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INSIDE: PRINCIPALS TALK ABOUT SCHOOL YEAR • B2-B3
AMHERST NEWS-TIMES THURSDAY, AUG. 15, 2019 • SERVING AMHERST SINCE 1919
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TEACHERS REACT TO NEW POWERS
SCHOOL
SPECIAL EDITION Electives, finances, and construction are part of a balancing act for 2019-2020
JASON HAWK EDITOR
It's a multi-million-dollar balancing act. That's how Amherst Schools superintendent Steven Sayers sees the job of providing students with every possible learning opportunity without completely draining the piggy bank. The past few years have seen the school system invest heavily in technology as well as in STEM offerings such as coding and robotics. At the same time, Sayers and company have tried to give equal footing to the arts, launching an orchestra program that is now firmly rooted at Steele High School and this fall offering an Advanced Placement art class. That legacy is continuing this year with the addition of Spanish at Powers Elementary, and in 2020 at Nord Middle School. At Amherst Junior High, a slew of new electives will be available, ranging from a class on music's role in popular culture to a course on space exploration. "That balance is so important," Sayers said. "To have the arts and creative opportunities is a big part of education. Obviously our kids are taking advantage of these things on all sides." The goal, he said, is to continually look at new ideas and new possibilities — the world outside is always changing, so why shouldn't the schools? And Sayers' philosophy has always been that well-rounded students are the result of well-rounded programs. "We want to just give kids the opportunity to explore. Maybe it's only a semester-long course but it could be a possible career path," he said. The challenge is to diversify the electives portfolio while being responsible with the public's money. The district's long-term forecast shows the schools as stable until at least 2023, barring any disastrous changes to the state budget. The most recent biennial budget bill, adopted by state lawmakers in July, includes some "extra" money for the Amherst Schools — about $290,000 this year and BALANCE PAGE B2
TEACHER CONTRACT
A tentative agreement has been reached with the Amherst Teachers Association, superintendent Steven Sayers announced Monday. During its monthly meeting, the board of education recessed to a behind-closed-doors session to discuss negotiations with the union. Discussions between ATA bargaining reps and district administrators stretched through the spring, well past their typical length. Wearing red shirts, teachers made a silent show of solidarity at a May school board meeting. "ATA has done extensive research and homework to ensure that we are not asking for anything unrealistic or harmful to the health of our school district," said a release provided by then-vice president Mark Skladan. But the weeks wore on with no resolution and Sayers had said the parties were prepared to start the fall semester without a contract in hand if necessary, extending the previous contract while negotiations continued in good faith. A special board meeting has been called for 7:30 a.m. Monday at the Steele High School creative learning center to, among other agenda items, vote on the new agreement. It must also be ratified by the ATA.
Photos by Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times
Kindergarten teachers, accompanied by principal Beth Schwartz (center) and building and grounds supervisor Chuck Grimmett (left) get their first look at the new Powers Elementary School on South Lake Street. The building is on track to open this winter. Areas for younger grade levels are nearly complete while third grade spaces and board of education offices are still in earlier stages.
'Space everywhere, it's massive' JASON HAWK EDITOR
The little touches stirred the biggest reactions when kindergarten teachers saw their new classrooms for the first time. "Look at all these closets. Look at all the storage," said Brittney Cromer, one of several teachers who toured the Powers Elementary School construction site Aug. 7. Extra-large whiteboards. Water fountains in classrooms. Mirrored exterior windows for security. By their reactions, you would have thought these teachers had won the lottery. In a way they have — they'll move into the $31.5 million building this winter. For now, it's still an active work zone where hard hats are required. There are ladders, spools or wire, tools, raw tile, uninstalled lights, and boxes everywhere. Prekindergarten rooms are the furthest along, all but move-in ready with drop ceilings and trim complete. The kindergarten wing is close behind, with walls painted in vivid yellows, oranges, greens, and blues. Every kindergarten room has its own bathroom. Classrooms are flooded with natural light from huge windows. Garage-style vertical doors open each learning space into a common area where kids can come together for fun and group work. Some rooms are divided by retractable walls that can be opened for young students to learn together or closed when peace and quiet is needed. "There's so much space. The big space everywhere, it's massive," said Kayla Syrowski, making her way through room after room, 11
Building and grounds supervisor Chuck Grimmett poses outside the front entrance, where a sign bearing the building’s name has been installed.
OFFICIAL ADDRESSES
The new Powers Elementary School has been given its own postal address at 393 South Lake St. The Amherst board of education offices, located on the north side of the building, have been assigned as 550 Milan Ave. for each grade level. "Every detail was thought through," said another teacher, Jen Brown. "Nothing was left to chance." For most of the school day, kids will keep to their own wings. "Each of those grade levels is going to have a really close-knit feel," said superintendent Steven Sayers, who joined the tour. Students from all grades will mix in the cafeteria, gymnasium, and
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stage. It's when you enter those spaces that you get a feel for just how massive the building is at 119,000 square feet. Principal Beth Schwartz led the way through the construction zone. Her staff will start the school year at the old Powers building on Washington Avenue and make the crosstown move during winter break. She is planning field trips for students just before Christmas so they NEW SCHOOL PAGE B2